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Gus Malzahn talks quarterbacks, goal to run 80 plays per game and more in ESPN chat

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Auburn coach Gus Malzahn visits ESPN for a slew of appearances on the network's television and Internet networks in Bristol, Connecticut on Tuesday, July 23, 2013. (Todd Van Emst/Auburn Media Relations)

Gus Malzahn's No. 1 priority in August is focusing on the race at quarterback.

So there's no telling how antsy the Auburn coach is getting after being unable to watch them compete in voluntary workouts and in the weight room this summer, especially when it comes to his two newcomers at the position: Nick Marshall and Jeremy Johnson.

The coach talked quarterbacks and more Tuesday during an ESPN.com chat from the network's studios in Bristol, Connecticut.

"They're both very talented," Malzahn said. "From what I hear from our strength coach, they're off to a good start in the weight room and classroom. We'll give them equal shot to compete."

Marshall and Johnson will face off against incumbents Kiehl Frazier and Jonathan Wallace, who competed against each other in the spring. A starter was not named in the spring, leaving room open for equal opportunities to compete when practices begin Aug. 2. Offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee says they will focus quite a bit on the quarterbacks early in practices this fall and he hopes to name a starter by mid-August.

Malzahn also talked briefly about his hurry-up, no-huddle offense and how important it is to have big-time talent to be successful. He followed up his comments at SEC Media Days about being the fastest team in college football by providing some specifics on his expectations this season.

"Yeah, our goal when we talk to our players is 80 (plays per game)," he said. "But each game unfolds differently. Sometimes you can score enough points on less than 80. The main thing is we play faster than any team in the country on each snap."

A few more highlights from his time in the ESPN.com chat:

--- Malzahn was asked about being at Auburn and whether it is "strange" being back on the Plains.

"Not at all," He responded. "In some ways it feels like I never left. I'm very comfortable at Auburn. My family loves Auburn. My oldest daughter just graduated from Auburn."

--- On his goals for this season: "Each season is different. Our goal is pretty simple this year. Improve each practice and each game. With all of the inexperience and young players, if we do that, we'll have a successful season."

--- Malzahn says he's excited about the upcoming season, his first as a head coach in the SEC. He also called Auburn his "dream job" in the chat.

"It feels like everybody in the building is excited about this season and the future," he said.

--- What are the expectations at Auburn? Pretty simple, really.

"we won a national championship in 2010. It's a place to win championships. Our fans expect to win championships and that's what we strive for."